Which dimensions of Health Literacy predict the adoption of smoking preventive Behaviors?

Abstract:Background: Health literacy (HL) is related with the adoption of preventive behaviors. Considering the increase smoking among students, this study aimed to determine the effective dimensions of HL in predicting the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors in students.Materials and methods: In the present cross-sectional and descriptive study, 280 dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected through single-stage cluster sampling method.A questionnaire of HL measurement (HL for Iranian Adults) and also a valid and reliable researcher-madequestionnaire were exploited for measuring the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) and descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple logistic regression analysis. All stages of the study were conducted ethically.Results: The mean (± standard deviation) score for adoption of smoking preventive behaviors were 39.36±19.16 out of 100. Understanding and access to health information dimensions received the highest scores, while decision making and application of health information as well as reading obtained the lowestscores. Multiple regression analysis reflected that the dimensions of understanding (β=0.216, P=0.017) and decision making and the application of health information (β=0.324, P=0.001) were predictors of adoption of smoking preventive behaviors. Overall, these variables could predict 23.1% of behavioral changes.Conclusion: According to the results of the study, in designing educational interventions for the prevention of smoking, special attention should be paid to HL, especially the dimensions of reading, understanding and decision making as well as application of health information in the audience

Investigating the health literacy influencing ways on the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors in Health Belief Model developed by health literacy

Background and Aims: Incorporation of health literacy (HL) into health belief model (HBM) assist in strengthening the performance of this model in predicting smoking preventive behavior. However, the type of such an effect and the way in which the HL works in this hybrid model has not yet been determined. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the influencing ways of HL on adoption of smoking preventive behavior in HBM incorporated with HL.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 340 dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran were enrolled using single-stage cluster sampling. The data collection tool was a valid and reliable questionnaire based on HBM on smoking prevention and HL questionnaire (HELIA). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and path analysis method based on single-variable and multiple regressions. All stages of the study were conducted ethically.Results: HL had a direct and statistically significant effect on all structures of the model and adoption of behavior. Also, it indirectly influenced adoption of behavior by influencing the structures of the model. Only perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy variables significantly affect adoption of behavior. In addition, the indirect effect of HL on the adoption of behavior was greater than its direct effect.Conclusion: It is possible to improve the degree of HL and, therefore, the adoption of smoking preventive behavior among students through the use of HBM incorporated with HL, which emphasizes on perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy variables

The need of design a tool to measure smoking literacy for Iranian society

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The 12-item medical outcomes study short form health survey version 2.0 (SF-12v2): a population-based validation study from Tehran, Iran

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The SF-12v2 is the improved version of the SF-12v1. This study aimed to validate the SF-12v2 in Iran.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A random sample of the general population aged 18 years and over living in Tehran, Iran completed the instrument. Reliability was estimated using internal consistency and validity was assessed using known-groups comparison and convergent validity. In addition the factor structure of the questionnaire was extracted by performing both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all, 3685 individuals were studied (1887male and 1798 female). Internal consistency for both summary measures was satisfactory. Cronbach's α for the Physical Component Summary (PCS-12) was 0.87 and for the Mental Component Summary (MCS-12) it was 0.82. Known-groups comparison showed that the SF-12v2 discriminated well between men and women and those who differed in age and educational status (P < 0.05). Furthermore, as hypothesized the physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain and general health subscales correlated higher with the PCS-12, while the vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health subscales correlated higher with the MCS-12. Finally the exploratory factor analysis indicated a two-factor structure (physical and mental health) that jointly accounted for 59.9% of the variance. The confirmatory factory analysis also indicated a good fit to the data for the two-latent structure (physical and mental health).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although the findings could not be generalized to the Iranian population, overall the findings suggest that the SF-12v2 is a reliable and valid measure of health related quality of life among Iranians and now could be used in future health outcome studies. However, further studies are recommended to establish its stability, responsiveness to change, and concurrent validity for this health survey in Iran.</p

Tobacco use preventional interventions among Iranian adolescents: A review study

Background and Aims: Considering the increasing trend of tobacco usage among adolescents, effective interventions are necessary for smoking prevention in this group. We, therefore, decided to investigate the status of preventive interventions on tobacco usage among Iranian adolescents, especially the theory/model-based interventions.Meanwhile, the authors surveyed among other related studies, and categorized them in terms of effect/no effect.Materials and Methods: A literature review was performed. We selected studies to include in our analyses via a search of Scientific Information Database-SID and google scholar (as a supporter motor researcher) on November of 2017, using the keywords “Tobacco, Smoking, Hookahs” in the title and abstract of all published articles. After removing repetitive and unrelated cases, the full text of a series of articles on the prevention of tobacco in adolescentswas reviewed and the results were presented in terms of the phrases and tables.Results: Out of 1078 extracted articles, 14 papers were finally evaluated. The interventions were divided into twomain categories. Totally, in 9 studies, health education models and theories were the basis for intervention, and otherapproaches had been used in the remaining five studies.Conclusion: In spite of the influence of both types of interventions, model/theoretic interventions have been usedmore than other interventions in smoking prevention, which could be due to the more favorable and clearer effects of these interventions in changing the various behaviors of the health sector.Keywords: tobacco, preventional intervention, adolescent, review stud

Validation study of the extended theory of reasoned action questionnaire for drug abuse prevention in adolescents

The aim of this study was to design and assess the validity and reliability of the theory of reasoned action extended version questionnaire for drug abuse avoidance in Iranian male adolescents. Validity and reliability of a measure consisting of TRA and self efficacy construct for substance abuse avoidance was assessed by scientific methods. Cross-sectional data was collected via self-administered surveys from adolescents sample (n = 433). A questionnaire was designed based on two guidance for TRA/TPB developing. The instrument was validated using content validity and construct validity (Exploratory & confirmatory factor analysis). The reliability of scale was assess by inter consistency. The reliability coefficients were calculated by two different methods: Cranach alpha and test-retest. Results of exploratory & confirmatory factor analysis showed that extended version of TRA model consisted of 29 questions and 4 components (attitude toward behavior, subjective norms, intention and self efficacy), was a good fitness. Results showed the total test-retest reliability and internal consistency to be 0.72 and 0.85, respectively, too. The validity and reliability of the Persian extended version of TRA scale were suitable for use in future intervention

Reinforcing the performance of health belief model using health literacy in anticipating adoption of smoking preventive behaviors in university students

Background and objective: Health literacy (HL) is associated with the adoption of preventive behaviors and has a potential effect on reinforcing the health belief model (HBM). Due to the increasing prevalence of smoking among university students, this study aimed to determine the role of HL in reinforcing the performance of HBM in anticipating the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors. Methods:This cross-sectional study was carried out among 340 dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, selected by sinle-stage cluster sampling. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on HBMfor smoking preventive behaviors and HL questionnaire (HELIA). The data were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis method by Liserl software 8.8 and multiple regression analysiswith SPSS software. Results: The results of the validity of two versions of HBM(original version and combined version with HL) in confirmatory factor analysis showed that fitness indexes of combined version with HL are better. Multiple regression analysisreflected that the coverage ratio of behavior variance of the combined version (r2= 36.5) is more than the original version (r2= 24. 6).   Conclusion: To design and implement educational programs in order to adoption of smoking preventive behaviorsamong students, using HBM combined with HL is more effective than the original version of this model. Paper Type:Research Article

The effect of education on knowledge and attitude towards the harmful effects of smoking among students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran

زمینه و اهداف: نظر به شیوع نسبتا بالای مصرف سیگار در دانشجویان و نقش آگاهی و نگرش در پیشگیری از مصرف سیگار، پژوهش حاضر با هدف تعیین تاثیر آموزش بر آگاهی و نگرش نسبت به مضرات مصرف سیگار میان دانشجویان اجرا گردید.&nbsp;&nbsp; مواد و روش‌ها: این مطالعه مداخله‌ای از نوع نیمه ‌تجربی در سال 1395 و در میان 130 نفر از دانشجویان خوابگاهی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی شهید بهشتی تهران (65 نفر در هر یک از دو گروه مداخله و کنترل) انجام شد. ابزار گردآوری اطلاعات، پرسشنامه مشخصات جمعیتی و زمینه‌ای و پرسشنامه روا و پایای موجود جهت سنجش آگاهی و نگرش نسبت به مضرات مصرف سیگار بود که در دو مرحله قبل و سه ماه پس از مداخله تکمیل گردید. آموزش در این مطالعه در قالب شبکه‌های اجتماعی اجرا و پیام‌های آموزشی طی 6 نوبت به دانشجویان گروه مداخله ارسال گردید. داده‌های گردآوری شده با استفاده از آزمون‌های متناسب و نرم‌افزار SPSS&nbsp; نسخه 16 تحلیل شدند. تمامی مراحل مطالعه حاضر طبق موازین اخلاقی اجرا گردید. یافته‌ها: قبل از مداخله، بین متغیرهای جمعیتی و زمینه‌ای، میانگین نمرات آگاهی و نگرش نسبت به مضرات مصرف سیگار در دو گروه، تفاوت معنادار وجود نداشت (p&gt;0.05). پس از مداخله، مقایسه دو گروه نشان داد که میانگین نمرات آگاهی و نگرش نسبت به مضرات مصرف سیگار در گروه مداخله به طور معناداری نسبت به گروه کنترل، تغییر داشته است (p&lt;0.05).&nbsp; نتیجه‌گیری: در مداخلات آموزشی جهت ارتقای آگاهی و نگرش نسبت به مضرات مصرف سیگار در دانشجویان، می‌توان از شبکه‌های اجتماعی استفاده کرد.Background and Aims: Considering the relatively high prevalence of smoking among students and the role of&nbsp;knowledge and attitude in smoking prevention, the present study aimed to determine the effect of education on&nbsp;knowledge and attitude towards the harmful effects of smoking among students.Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental interventional study conducted in 2016 among 130&nbsp;dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran (65 students in each intervention&nbsp;and control groups). Data gathering tool was a demographic and background characteristics questionnaire. A valid&nbsp;and reliable questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and attitude towards the harmfulness of smoking that&nbsp;was completed in two stages before and three months after the intervention. In this study, education was performed&nbsp;using Social Networks and educational messages were sent to the students of the intervention group in 6 sessions.The collected data were analyzed through the proportional tests and SPSS software version 16. All stages of the&nbsp;study were conducted according to moral standards.Results: There was no significant difference between demographic and background variables before the intervention&nbsp;and also the mean scores of knowledge and attitude towards the harmfulness of smoking in both groups (p &gt; 0.05).&nbsp;Comparing two groups after the intervention showed that the mean scores of knowledge and attitude towards the&nbsp;harmfulness of smoking have changed significantly in experimental group compared to control group (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Social networking can be used in educational interventions to promote knowledge and attitude towards&nbsp;the harmful effects of smoking in students

Studying and comparison of health literacy among smokers and non-smokers students in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2016

Background and objective: The relation of low health literacy with negative health consequences such as less adopting of preventive behaviors, premature death and weaker state of health has been proven. Due to the increase of using smoking among students, this study was performed with the purpose of determining and comparing health literacy among smoker and non-smoker students. Methods: This research is the cross-sectional study among dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran was performed. The sample size of 360 people has been included by single-stage random cluster sampling. The data collection tools were demographic information and health literacy questionnaire (HELIA). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test in SPSS (ver.16). Results: 59.1% (n=201) were studied non-smoker students, 17.1% (n=58) had experienced smoking and 23.8% (n=81) were current smokers. The mean and standard deviation of health literacy score were 70.52±14.12 from 100. The dimensions of understanding and access to the highest mean score, and then the decision making and application of health information had the lowest mean score. There was a significant difference between the mean of health literacy in two groups of smoker and non-smoker students. Also, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of the dimensions of understanding, decision making and application of health information and access in two groups of smoker and non-smoker students (

Psychometric analysis of the ambulatory care learning education environment measure (ACLEEM) in Iran

Background: Examining educational environment (academic and clinical) by means of a valid, reliable and comprehensive questionnaire is a major key in achieving a highly qualified student - oriented curricula. The Persian translation of Ambulatory Care Learning Education Environment Measure-ACLEEM questionnaire has been developed to support this goal, and its psychometrics has been explored in this administration in teaching hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive - analytical study involved medical residents in four major clinics. In this study, the ACLEEM Questionnaire was conducted after translating and retranslating the questionnaire and examine the face and content validity, construct validity, test retest reliability and internal consistency coefficient. Results: In this study, 157 out of 192 residents completed the questionnaire (response rate 82). The mean age of the residents was 31.81 years. The final mean of the questionnaire was calculated as 110.91 out of 200 (with 95 confidence interval). Test - retest stability of the questionnaire was between 0.322 and 0.968. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed. The content validity ratio was 0.64; and content validity Index was 0.78. In Exploratory factor analysis, eight factors were confirmatory that changed the orientation of some questions. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the whole questionnaire was 0.936. Conclusion: According to the data, the Persian version of the ACLEEM questionnaire has sufficient psychometric reliability and validity to be used for conducting research, teaching and practicing the educational learning environment in ambulatory care in Iran